Abstract: This invention relates to processes and systems for converting acyclic hydrocarbons to alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons and/or aromatics, for example converting acyclic C5 hydrocarbons to cyclopentadiene in a reactor system. The process includes heating an electrically-conductive reaction zone by applying an electrical current to the first electrically-conductive reaction zone; and contacting a feedstock comprising acyclic hydrocarbons with a catalyst material in the electrically-conductive reaction zone under reaction conditions to convert at least a portion of the acyclic hydrocarbons to an effluent comprising alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons, and/or aromatics.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for the production of cyclic imide compounds such as N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The processes may be particularly well-suited for commercial-scale production of cyclic imides such as NHPI. Such cyclic imide compounds are suitable for use as oxidation catalysts, and specifically may be used to oxidize cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation may be particularly useful in a process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via a process comprising hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide, and cleavage of the cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone. The cyclic imide production process may advantageously include water washing and reactant recovery steps to maximize purity and yield.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for the production of cyclic imide compounds such as N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The processes may be particularly well-suited for commercial-scale production of cyclic imides such as NHPI. Such cyclic imide compounds are suitable for use as oxidation catalysts, and specifically may be used to oxidize cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation may be particularly useful in a process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via a process comprising hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide, and cleavage of the cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone. The cyclic imide production process may advantageously include water washing and reactant recovery steps to maximize purity and yield.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising a hydrogenation step of contacting the feed mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to obtain a hydrogenated mixture, cyclohexanone-containing products comprising 3-cyclohexenone and/or 2-cyclohexenone at low concentrations, and compositions of matter useful for making such cyclohexanone-containing products, particularly by using such processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cyclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for making cyclohexanone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, 3-cylclohexenone and optionally 2-cyclohexenone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and hydrogenating a fraction from the first distillation column in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. A cyclohexanone-rich upper effluent comprising 3-cyclohexenone and 2-cyclohexenone at low concentrations can be obtained from the first distillation column.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes and systems for converting acyclic hydrocarbons to alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons and/or aromatics, for example converting acyclic C5 hydrocarbons to cyclopentadiene in a reactor system. The process includes heating an electrically-conductive reaction zone by applying an electrical current to the first electrically-conductive reaction zone; and contacting a feedstock comprising acyclic hydrocarbons with a catalyst material in the electrically-conductive reaction zone under reaction conditions to convert at least a portion of the acyclic hydrocarbons to an effluent comprising alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons, and/or aromatics.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for making cyclohexanone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, 3-cylclohexenone and optionally 2-cyclohexenone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and hydrogenating a fraction from the first distillation column in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. A cyclohexanone-rich upper effluent comprising 3-cyclohexenone and 2-cyclohexenone at low concentrations can be obtained from the first distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising a hydrogenation step of contacting the feed mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to obtain a hydrogenated mixture, cyclohexanone-containing products comprising 3-cyclohexenone and/or 2-cyclohexenone at low concentrations, and compositions of matter useful for making such cyclohexanone-containing products, particularly by using such processes.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cyclic imide slurry composition and processes for forming and/or using such a composition. The slurry composition comprises solid cyclic imide and organic liquid, such as liquid alkylbenzene, liquid cyclohexane, and/or liquid organic alcohol (such as cyclohexanol). The slurry composition may find particular use in processes in which the cyclic imide serves as an oxidation catalyst (e.g., as a radical initiator). For instance, the slurry composition may be useful in the oxidation of a liquid alkylbenzene such as cyclohexylbenzene to corresponding 1-cyclohexyl-1-phenyl hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation reaction may further be part of an integrated process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via hydroalkylation to form cyclohexylbenzene.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cyclic imide slurry composition and processes for forming and/or using such a composition. The slurry composition comprises solid cyclic imide and organic liquid, such as liquid alkylbenzene, liquid cyclohexane, and/or liquid organic alcohol (such as cyclohexanol). The slurry composition may find particular use in processes in which the cyclic imide serves as an oxidation catalyst (e.g., as a radical initiator). For instance, the slurry composition may be useful in the oxidation of a liquid alkylbenzene such as cyclohexylbenzene to corresponding 1-cyclohexyl-1-phenyl hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation reaction may further be part of an integrated process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via hydroalkylation to form cyclohexylbenzene.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes and systems for converting acyclic hydrocarbons to alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons and/or aromatics, for example converting acyclic C5 hydrocarbons to cyclopentadiene in a reactor system. The process includes contacting a feedstock comprising acyclic hydrocarbons with a catalyst material in at least one reaction zone to convert at least a portion of the acyclic hydrocarbons to a first effluent comprising alkenes, cyclic hydrocarbons and/or aromatics. A co-feed comprising H2, C1-C4 alkanes and/or C1-C4 alkenes may also be provided to the at least one reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for the production of cyclic imide compounds such as N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The processes may be particularly well-suited for commercial-scale production of cyclic imides such as NHPI. Such cyclic imide compounds are suitable for use as oxidation catalysts, and specifically may be used to oxidize cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation may be particularly useful in a process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via a process comprising hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide, and cleavage of the cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone. The cyclic imide production process may advantageously include water washing and reactant recovery steps to maximize purity and yield.

Abstract: A process and a device for removing water and/or oxygen from a crude organic liquid stream using a distillation column with heat input and dry nitrogen stream. A side effluent stream comprising water at a high concentration is drawn from the distillation column. An optional settling drum can be used to separate the aqueous phase from the organic phase in the side effluent stream can be used. The invention can be advantageously used for purifying a crude organic liquid stream comprising one or more of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, cumene, cyclohexane, cyclohexene, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for the production of cyclic imide compounds such as N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The processes may be particularly well-suited for commercial-scale production of cyclic imides such as NHPI. Such cyclic imide compounds are suitable for use as oxidation catalysts, and specifically may be used to oxidize cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation may be particularly useful in a process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via a process comprising hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide, and cleavage of the cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone. The cyclic imide production process may advantageously include water washing and reactant recovery steps to maximize purity and yield.

Abstract: Disclosed is (i) a process of making phenol and/or cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene including a step of removing methylcyclopentylbenzene from (a) the cyclohexylbenzene feed supplied to the oxidation step and/or (b) the crude phenol product (ii) a phenol composition and (iii) a cyclohexylbenzene composition that can be made using the process.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for making cyclohexanone from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene, comprising a step of or a device for subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to hydrogenation and a step of or a device for distilling a phenol/cyclohexanone/cyclohexylbenzene mixture to obtain an effluent rich in cyclohexanone.